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The Importance Of The Downfall Of Macbeth

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Although the witches only play a small role in the play, they have a huge impact on what goes on. The witches are the base of the play, and without the weird sisters, there would not be a play. Throughout the play, the witches tempt Macbeth to do things that will make his fate come true. The witches add fuel to the fire by revealing to Macbeth the prophecies, which drive him to kill many of his friends, change his heart, and ultimately lead to his downfall. The witches advance the plot by telling Macbeth that he will, one day, become king which motivates him to betray and kill his closest friends. Macbeth knows that to become king, he needs to kill King Duncan. The witches also tell Banquo that he will be the father of kings saying, “Thlu shalt get kings, though be none”. (1.3.67). Macbeth believes that this will harm his fate of becoming king. To prevent that from happening, Macbeth hires murders to kill Banquo and Fleance, Banquo’s son. The two murders murder Banquo, but fail to kill Fleance. Still afraid his fate will be harmed, Macbeth asks the witches about his future which adds more fuel to the fire, furthering the story. The witches tell Macbeth to fear Macduff because of the way he was born because Macduff will defeat him. Even though Macbeth believes he has nothing to fear, he wants to kill Macduff anyways. All of the witches’ foresights drive Macbeth to kill his king and loyal friends. Along with murder, the weird sisters cause Macbeth to have a change of heart.

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